Detection of platelet associated IgG in immune thrombocytopenia: a new assay employing protein A and peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PROA-PAP).

Immune thrombocytopenia is frequently encountered in medical practice and is generally accepted as being caused by an IgG antibody. The capability of detecting platelet-bound IgG as a diagnostic and therapeutic modality is critical for appropriate care and management of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), as well as other immune thrombocytopenias. We have modified our previous assay (Br J Haematol 37:265, 1977) by employing protein A and PAP as a labeled antibody.

International efforts in independent living.

Several nations currently share a major concern for provision of services to severely disabled persons. The focus of this concern has been upon those services which promote maximum integration and independence of severely disabled individuals in the community. Recent efforts in this direction by governments, private citizens, and handicapped-consumer organizations in Sweden, The Netherlands, Denmark, England, Canada, and Australia are discussed.

Plasma exchange in the treatment of fulminant idiopathic (autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura.

Rapid plasma exchange in a young man with idiopathic (autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura and life-threatening haemorrhage acutely increased the platelet-count and enhanced haemostasis. The patient had not responded to steroids, and massive intra-abdominal bleeding had developed after splenectomy, despite numerous platelet transfusions. After plasma exchange, his haemoglobin concentration became normal without further transfusion and his abdominal girth decreased.

An immunoenzyme histochemical technique for the detection of platelet antibodies from the serum of patients with idiopathic (autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

The resent report describes a simple, reproducible, semi-quantitative immunohistochemical assay for the detection of antiplatelet antibody. Evaluation of the technique in 10 children with active idiopathic (autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), seven children with thrombocytopenia due to other causes, and 12 normal individuals revealed that the assay consistently and reliably distinguished children with ITP from the other groups. Individuals who had had multiple platelet transfusions and individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) also had antiplatelet antibodies detectable using this technique although the levels were less than those of individuals with ITP.

Isolation and identification of two learning-induced brain peptides.

Goldfish were trained either to avoid the blue compartment of a tank and swim into the green compartment or, conversely, to avoid green and prefer blue. Preliminary experiments indicated that acquisition of the avoidance behavior was associated with the presence in the brain of two peptides, one found in blue avoiding (BA), another in green avoiding (GA) fish. With the help of behavioral bioassays, the peptides were isolated and purified, and their structure was determined by ultrasmicroanalytical techniques.